Electrode-adjusting mechanism



W. L. MORMS ELECTRODE ADJUSTENG MESHANISM.

APPLZCATION FILED APR. 19, 1920, 1,386,017,, Patented Aug: 2 192i 3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

W. L. MORRIS.

ELECTRODE ADJUSTING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 19. 1920.

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W. L. M08858. ELECTRODE ADJUSTlNG MECHANISM.

AFPLICATION FILED APR i9, i920- Patented Aug; 2, {92L 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM L. MORRIS, OF CHICAGO, 'ILLINOTS, ASSI IIGNOB TO THE BOOTH ELECTRIC FU BNACECO A'OOBPOR'ATION OF ILLINOIS.

ELECTRODE-ADJ UB'I'IN G MECHANISM.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM L. MORRIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Electrode-Adjusting Mechanism, of'which the following is a specification.

This invention relates particularly to electrode-holdersfor electric furnaces. The improved device is especially useful in connection with electric furnaces employing substantially horizontal electrodes.

The primary object is to provide improved electrode holding and adjusting means, adapted to secure proper'alinement and .en-

' able easy adjustment of the electrodes.

The invention is illustrated in the preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings in Which Figure 1 represents a broken vertical sectional view of an electric furnace embodying the invention in its preferred form; Fig. 2, a sectional view taken as indicated at line 2 of Fig. 1; F ig.3,a sectional view taken as indicated at line 3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a sectional view taken as indicated at line 4 of F 1g.

2; Figs. 5 and 6 are views taken as in-.

dicated at the corresponding lines' of Fig. 2; Fig. 7, a detailed sectional, view taken as indicated at line 7 of Fi 3; Flg. 8, a view corresponding with ig. 2, but illustrating a modification of the invention; Fig. 9, a sectional view taken as indicated at line 9 of Fig. 8; and Fig. 10, a view taken as indicated at line 10 of Fig.8.

In the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, A represents a furnace-body of the type which is adapted to rotate or oscillate about a horizontal axis, the bodylbein usually supported on rollers (not shownlg and actuated by means of mechanism A; a electrode supporting-frame proecting from the end of the furnace-body; C axially disposed electrodes which extend through the end walls of the furnace; and D, an electrode clamp mounted on the frame B.

It will be understood that the furnace is equipped at each end with an electrode suporting-frame, and with theclamp D adustably mounted thereon. The furnacebody A may be of any suitable construction and may be mounted to rotate'or oscillate, if desired. The furnace-body is provided near its ends with insulated annular tracks Specification of Letters-Patent. I i Patented Aug. 2, 1921. 1 Application .flled 'Aprll 19.1920. Serial ms. 374,986.

A (one shown) which are energized by brushes or stationary contact members '1 (one shown). These annular tracks are connected with the electrode clamps D as by means of flexible conductors 2, shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and diagrammaticallyindi-- cated in Fig. 1.v The circuit is completed through the electrodes, the furnace operatin through an are 3, if desired.

he electrode supporting-frame B comprises an adjustable m0unt1ng'4 carried by the end wall of the furnace; an outer late 5; end guides 6 interposed between an secured to said plates. Any suitable construction for the electrode su be employed, however. he electrode'clamp D, in the illustration given, comprises a orting-frame may crescent-shaped slide 7 mounted on theguides 6, the member 7 being provided at its lower portion with an extension 7" which constitutes a supporting bracket for the electrode clamp proper; a lower stationary jaw or clamping-member 8 adjustably mounted on the arm 7' in suchmanner as to permit the electrode to be adjusted to a correct axial position, an upper electrode clamping-'memby'meanso'f a pivot 10 with which are ournaled plugs or bearing mem bers 13 having transverse threaded perforations which engage the threads of the screwrods 12. The members 13 preferably constitute steel or brass inserts in thecasting forming the slide 7. The plug 13'is mounted in a vertical boss 14, andthe screw-rod 12 extends through a horizontal boss 15 which forms a cross with the boss 14. The carriage or slide '7 may be moved towards or away from the end of the furnace by actuating the screw-rods 12. These rods may be actuated in any suitable manner. Preferably this is accomplished by equipping the outer end of the screw-rods with lnions 17 which are enga ed by'a gear 18 ormed integrally with a and-wheel 19- which,is jour; naled 1n the outer frame-member 5. The

, thus vary hand-wheel is tubular, so that the can work freely through it; and the gear 18 is formed integrally with the hand-wheel.

The arm 7 of the slide 7 is in the form of a short horizontal bar occupying a vertical plane. The clamping-jaw 8 has a T- form shank which provides ahorizontal bar 8 occupying a vertical plane and a hori zontal bar 8 occupying a horizontal plane. Interposed between the arm 7 and the shank 8 is a bearing block 20 of cylindrical form, which has encircled end surfaces 20 which bear against similarly curved concave surfaces with which the adjacent side-members 7*- and 8 are provided. The members 7 and 8 are connected by four bolts 21 disposed at the corners of a rectangle and outside the circumference of the spacing-member 20. Thus, the jaw 8 is capable of a sort of universal adjustment on the arm 7"" of the slide or carriage to vary the plane of the electrode clamping-members 8 and 9 and the tilt of the axis of the bore between the jaws with respect to the line of movement of the carriage when it is adjusted through the medium of the screwrods 12. The adjustment of the jaws on the carriage maybe effected by releasing some of the bolts and tightening others, as may be necessary, to enable the electrode to be brought into proper axial position with respect to the furnace.

The jaws 8 and 9 are provided near their pivot points with short arms 22 which are connected with the conductors 2 by means of bolts 23. i The supporting jaw 8 1s insulated from the carriage by bushings 23 and. a disk 24, as shown in ig. 5.

Thus, the electric current is led directly to the jaws,

and the jaws are insulated with respect to' the carriage. The clamping-members 8 and 9 are provided at their free ends with lugs 25 in which are journaled'horizontal bearings 26 which are provided with transverse threaded portions engaged by the right and left threads of the screw-rod 11. The members 26 can turn on their axes, as may be necessary, in opening and closing the 'aws. This will be readilyunderstood from 4. and 7.

In the modification shown in Figs. 8 to 10, inclusive, the slide or carriage is in the form of a ring 7 mounted on the guiderod 6 of the electrode supporting-frame and actuated by the screw-rods 12, in the manner described above. In the ring 6 is supported an inner ring 27 of channel-form.

cross-section, separated from the encircling ring 6 by insulation blocks 28. Within the ring 27 and separated therefrom by insulation 29 is another ring 30 having flanges 30 and 30*, one of which is removable. The ring 27 and insulation 29 are interposed be tween the flanges 30 and 30 and the parts are clamped together by transverse bolts 31,

electrode "suitable insulation being provided, as shown in Fig. 10. Thus, the ring 30 is insulated from the annular carriage. The electrode clamping-j aws 32 are spaced within the ring 30 and are carried by right and left screwrods 33 which connect the endportions of the jaws with lugs '34 with which the ring is provided at its sides. The jaws are'bonded to the ring 30 by flexible copper bars 35. Thus, it will be understood that the tilt of the jaws may be varied to vary the tilt of the electrode and bring it into proper axial position with respect to the furnace.

Connected with the ring 30 is a flexible copper bar 36, which corresponds with the conductor 2 of the construction shown in Fig. 1.

eferring to Fig. 1, 37 represents a watercooled bearing in the end wall of the furnace; This connects with a system of watercooling pipes 38, which need not be described in detail.

From the description given, it will be understood that each of the constructions described providesa carriage or slide which is adjustable toward and away from the furnace and electrode clamping means mounted thereon and provided with means for varying the tilt of the electrode and bring: ing it into. properaxial position with respect to the-furnace. In the first described construction, the electrode clamping-mem bers are simultaneously adjusted to vary the tilt. This is the preferred construction. However, the desired result may be secured by any suitable construction.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understandin only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible in view of the prior art.

What I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In means of the character set forth, the 110 combination of an electrode supportingframe, a carriage adjustablymounted for movement longitudinally of said frame,'and electrode clampin means mounted on said carriage and provided with means of adjusti- 5 ment to vary the axial direction of the electrode. v, a

2. In means of the character set forth, the combination of an electrode supportingframe, an adjustable carriage mounted 120 thereon, electrode clamping-means, and means for varying the angle of the axis of the bore of the clamping-jaws of said clamping-means with respect to the line of movement of said carriage.

3. In means of the character set forth, the combination of an electrode supportingframe, a carriage adjustably mounted for movement longitudinally of said frame, and electrode clamping means insulatingly combination of an electrode mo nted on said carriage and provided with URL of adjustment to vary the axial.- direcof the electrode.

l. In means of the charac ,r set forth, the combination of an electrode supporting frame, a carriage adjustably mounted for movement longitudinally of said frame, and a plurality of electrode clamping-jaws, and adjustable means for mounting the same on said carriage whereby said .jaws may be simultaneously adjusted to vary the axial position of the electrode. y

5. In means of the character set forth, the combination of an electrode supportingframe, a carriage adjustably mounted for movement longitudinally of said frame, a pair of'pivotally connected clamping-jaws, and mounting means carried by said carriage and supporting said jaws, said mounting means being provided with means of adjustment for varying the position of an electrode carried by said 'aws.

6. In means of the c aracter set forth, the

supportingframe,acarriage adjustably mounted thereon for movement longitudinally of said frame, said carriage being provided with a jaw-supporting member, a jaw' adjustably secured on said jaw-support ng member, a jaw pivotally connected w th sa d firstnamed jaw, and means for. clamping sald jaws together. v

7. In means of the character set forth, the combination of anelectrode supportingframe, a crescent-shaped, carriage men thereon, means for moving said car: e idinally 02 said frame, an arm from one endof the crescent-shaped carrz. "5e, an electrode clamping-jaw adjust ably secured on said arm, a companion jaw pivotally connected with said first-named aw, and means an electrode;- 1

. 8. In means of thecharacter set forth, the combination of an electrode supportingframe, a carriage adjustably mounted for movement longitudinally of said frame, said carriage being provided with a jaw-supporting-member, an electrode clamping-jaw insulating-1y and adjustably mounted, on said jaw-supporting member, a companion electrode clamping-jaw mounted on the first mentioned jaw, and means for clamping said jaws upon an electrode.

9. In means of the character set forth, the

combination of an electrode supporting-- frame, a carriage adjustably mounted for movement longitudinally of said frame, said carriage being provided with a bar-like arm occupying a vertical plane, an electrode clampingaw having a bar-like shank spaced with relation to said arm, a bearing member interposed between said shankand said arm, bolts connecting said shank and arm, a clamping-jaw mounted on said firstfor clamping said jawsupon named aw, and means for clamping said jaws upon an electrode.

WILLIAM L. MORRIS.- 

